Loiner

Loiner is a demonym, describing the citizens of Leeds.

The Rugby League club Leeds Rhinos were previously nicknamed the Loiners ^[1]

History

While there are several theories, the actual origin of the term remains uncertain.

The three competing theories are:

• Loiner could derive from the name Loidis (in use by the eighth century for the district around modern-day Leeds).^[2]
• Another explanation says that in the 19th century there were many yards and closes around Briggate whose back entrances were known as Low Ins or Loins, hence Loiner.
• A third theory is that, in the area of Briggate, locals referred to numerous nearby streets as 'loins' in the local accent, as a corruption of the word 'lanes'. People who gathered in these loins to gossip were therefore termed Loiners.^[3]

References